State Audubon Reports 305 



STATE ANDUBON REPORTS 



The reports of the State Audubon Societies show a marked progress in bird- 

 protection work, and will well repay a careful reading by the members of the 

 National Association and the other readers of Bird-Lore. 



Alabama. — Few states in the Nation, and no state in the South, have made 

 such progress in recent years in matters relating to game and bird preservation 

 as has Alabama. 



Prior to the enactment in 1907 of the law creating the Department of Game 

 and Fish, and establishing uniform laws throughout the state for the protection 

 of birds and game, but little attention was paid to the local game laws that applied 

 to the various counties. These statutes were openly and notoriously violated by 

 practicallv every one, and no effort was made to institute prosecution against 

 game-law infractors. 



Recognizing the fact that no law is automatic, and that, in order to secure 

 its enforcement, it must be entrusted to some specially constituted sernce, or else 

 it will remain a mere nullity on the statute books, the legislature established a 

 most efficient game warden service for Alabama, that has vigilantly and rigidly 

 enforced the game and bird laws of this state. 



Public sentiment is strongly favorable to game and bird protection. Birds 

 and game are considered as among the most valuable of the state's natural 

 resources, and every effort is being made, not only to save this asset from anni- 

 hilation, but to increase every species that dwell or temporarily sojourn within 

 our borders. 



Vandalism has been largely reduced and the farmers' rights have been pro- 

 tected, by taking the guns out of the hands of the shiftless and roving class that 

 patrol the state, and, under the pretense of hunting, commit many petty offenses. 



The bag limit on game birds has had a very fine effect in restraining the reck- 

 less hands of game destructionists that formerly masqueraded under the guise 

 of sportsmen. Under the law, pheasants and all imported birds are protected 

 until December i, 191 2. This provision has served to induce the importation 

 of a large number of pheasants by gentlemen who are interested in the propa- 

 gation of game birds. 



Formerly, it was the custom to scatter wheat or other provender on fields, 

 for the purpose of attracting Doves in large numbers. This practice served to 

 collect practically all the Doves within a radius of fifty miles. At an appointed 

 time, hunters in great numbers would repair by daybreak to the baited field, 

 and the rapid discharge of firearms could be hkened unto the raging of a mighty 

 battle. As many as si.x thousand Doves have been bagged in one field in Ala- 

 bama in a single morning. Probably one-fourth more were fatally shot, being 



